Fuel economizer



Patented May 18, 1926.

UNE'TE STATES GEORGE L. ZUCKER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

FUEL ECONOMIZER.

Application filed. March 28, 1925-, Serial No. 19,185.

My invention relates to an improvement in fuel economizers.

It is a recognized fact that a very large percentage of the heat of stoves and furnaces passes up through the chimney and is lost. Also quite a large percentage of fire loss results from fine fires. In heavy winds gas in houses results from the back draft due to high winds.

The object of my invention is to conserve and utilize the heat units, to prevent flue fires, and back drafts through chimneys.

This invention consists in a metal cone adjustable as to size to fit different size smoke pipes or fines of various sizes. It further consists in means for catching and preventing the passage of escaping embers thatare frequently drawn up through the smoke pipe where the lighter fuels are burned, such as wood, corncobs, paper and the like.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a section through a smoke-pipe, the full lines showing a large size pipe, and the dotted lines a smaller size With my improved device centered therein; and

Fig. 2 is a view taken at right-angles to Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

The numeral 1 represents a cone of sheet metal having a central outlet or nozzle 2, and provided with orifices 3 in the sides. This cone is divided at its larger end by slits 1- into a plurality of wings or fins 5 which are adapted to be bent or spread to fit the inner wall of the sn'iokc-pipe 6, as shown in the drawings. In the full lines shown in Fig. 1, these fins or wings are bent out to the utmost to the largest size pipe 6 that this particular device is made to fit, whereas the dotted lines show the fins or wings approximately in alignment with the body of the cone to fit a smaller size pipe. The slits or slots 4 are of sufiicient width, however, to admit of these fins or wings being bent inwardly to the size of the main portion of the cone as indicated by the dotted lines at 7, so that the device might be used in a smoke pipe of the diameter of the widest part of the cone proper, as indicated at X.

At the inner ends of the slits or slots, eulargements 8 are formed as clearly illustrat ed in Fig. 2. These prevent the metal from breaking or splitting at these points and form vents along with the orifices 2 and 3 for the passage and escape of the products of combustion.

As a means of bracing the smaller end of the cone, two brace rods or wires 9 are employed, they extending through 'holes 10 in the cone at right-angles to each other. The outer ends may be bent to engage the inner wall of the pipe as shown in Fig. 1. These braces might be inserted forward through the holes 11, if desired.

As a means of preventing the passage of light flying embers, the reticulated screen 12 is employed. This may be variously constructed, but is adapted to be bent into concavoconvex shape as shown in Fig. 1, and it is preferably held together by reinforcing wires 13 having hooks 1% at the ends by which they are fastened to the screen 12. A main brace 15 supports the back of this screen through the center, and a wire 16 passed through holes in the cone and between the center brace and screen holds it in the cone.

The reticulated screen is so constructed that it is easily adjusted to the size or diameter of the pipe or chimney, it being made of a size of wire that renders it easily bendable, and the reinforcing wires 13 are adapted to hold, brace and reinforce the screen in its adjusted position. A simple means of varying the size and the cavity of the screen would be to slit the flat blank of reticulated material in toward the center at intervals and overlap the slit portion the required amount, to adjust the screen to the size of the pipe or chimney, and when thus adjusted to hold or fasten it by means of the reinforcing wires hooked into the reticulated material.

In fitting my improved fuel economizer to a smoke-pipe or chimney, the wings or fins outwardly to engage frictionally the smokepipe or chimney, thus producing vent spaces of graduated size from plus normal or approximately as illustrated inFig. 1 to capacity of the wings or fins as shown in full lines in. Fig. 1. In other words, the larger the smoke-pipe or chimney, the more the wings or fins are distorted and bent away from the original position at normal, and

as larger size smoke-pipes or chimneys require more vent or draft, the progressive widening or graduation of vent spaces pro vides this requirement. It is understood that the reticulated screen is likewise adjustable to correspond approximately to the diameter of the pipe or chimney, and to fit the same, and that the wings or fins and are progressively spread apart or bent reticulated screen are intended to co-operate with each other, size for size.

By the use of this device, a very simple contrivenco is provided for use in any pipe or chininey. It does not stop the necessary draft through the pipe or chimney, but it does retard the products of combustion. and allows them to be consumed Within the stove or furnace, so that the large percentage oi the heat units may be utilized rather than wasted.

At the some time it stops the passage of flying; einbers, it prevents excessive heat in the line, it stops back-draft, and thus prevents the oi the pot being blown into the $0011! or place where the stove or furnace is located I The device: easily and quickly applied, and generally holds its position by frictional engagement in the pipe. It the device is to be applied in an unusual location or position, any suitable supporting means can be employed; however, under ordinary conditions of application this is not necessary.

The entire article is not only simple but inexpensive, but roost etiicient in the accomplishment of its purposes.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination ora cone having vents therein, and size oil a pipe or chimney and 2t reticulated screen removebly attached at the enlarged end of the cone.

2. A deviceoi the character described, the combination of a cone hevin vents therein nieens for adjusting it to the size of a pipe or chimney, a recticuhited screen ren'iovably attached at the enlarged end of the cone, braces, reinforcing Wires for supporting and holding the reticulated screen in. shape and e removable wire for fastening the screen to the cone.

' 3. A device or the character described including a perforated cone having its larger end slotted longitndinelly, and adapted to be ez'nsnded radially for fittingthe cone and fastening it friction-Lilly to various sizes of pipes.

A device of the character described ineluding a perforated cone having its larger end SlOtLECl longn iunelly, and adapted to be expand d radially for fitting the cone and stenin 1t trictionslly to Various sizes of pipes and braces connected with the smaller end of the cone and extending to the inner Wells or the pipe or chimney.

in testimony whereof 1 edit; my signzv ture.

GEORGE L. ZUGKER.

means or adjusting it to the 

